Painters Online Logo

Login/register

Studio

Advice

Welcome to the forum.

Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.

Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.

Hang on Studio Wall
Author
Message
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 13958
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 4547
Posted
At the moment I'm not able to paint as we are undergoing electric rewireing, lots of dust etc. I am using the time to better my drawing skill something I used to do a lot. Earlier this year I was given some graphite sticks and am experimenting with them. The problem I find is they can be messy, and smudge easily, what can I used to fix the finished drawing. Someone has suggested hair spray, l'd look silly buying some as I have very little hair, does it work? On the drawing I mean. Paul.

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9051
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3422
Posted
Forget hair spray Paul, it's not right for the job and will certainly go yellow in no time. Use a pastel fixative from an art supplier, this will sort out any issues with charcoal, pastel and other medium of that nature. I've used all brands but the one I use at the moment is Frisk.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 20352
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 7138
Posted
Agree with Alan, don't use hairspray. Fixative is a mite expensive, but a lot safer than the product I use to control my wayward and plentiful locks. There are several different types, labelled fixative but not necessarily pastel fixative. Some of them do have a bit of a whiff (as indeed can hairspray) - I need to either wear a mask of hold a cloth over my nose and mouth when spraying, because I tend to wheeze otherwise. At least have a window open, or spray outside, if that is likely to affect you.